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Penn State head coach James Franklin leads the Nittany Lions onto the field for their NCAA college football game against Idaho in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger) Penn State head coach James Franklin leads the Nittany Lions onto the field for their NCAA college football game against Idaho in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger) Penn State head coach James Franklin leads the Nittany Lions onto the field for their NCAA college football game against Idaho in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) and linebacker Jan Johnson (36) tackle Idaho fullback Logan Kendall (32) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger) Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) and linebacker Jan Johnson (36) tackle Idaho fullback Logan Kendall (32) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger) Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (99) and linebacker Jan Johnson (36) tackle Idaho fullback Logan Kendall (32) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

When Penn State has the ball

Offensive line vs. Defensive line

The Nittany Lions were dominant up front last week against Idaho, protecting their quarterbacks while paving the way for a 331-yard rushing performance. The Vandals weren’t particularly skilled, but they were big, and the Bulls have some size, too, led by 320-pound nose Eddie Wilson. Penn State should expect Buffalo’s two ends, sophomore Taylor Riggins and junior Malcolm Koonce, to provide a better pass rush.

EDGE: Penn State

Quarterbacks/Receivers vs. Secondary

Clifford had a solid debut for Penn State last week, but the Vandals provided little resistance in the secondary. Buffalo should provide more, with two experienced safeties in senior Joey Banks and junior Tyrone Hill leading the way. Something to watch for: Penn State’s height at receiver – especially with 6-foot-4 Justin Shorter coming off his first start – could be a factor Saturday. Both of Buffalo’s starting corners are 5-foot-9.

EDGE: Penn State

Running backs vs. Linebackers

It seems unreasonable to think Penn State’s rushers could possibly match their performance from last week. All four of the scholarship backs found the end zone at least once, and the two freshmen – Noah Cain and Devyn Ford – looked impressive. They’ll need to be better against a much more experienced linebacking corps. Sophomore James Patterson had 77 tackles last season, and Kadofi Wright is a veteran who has played in 27 career games. This isn’t a flashy group, but Buffalo linebackers don’t make many mistakes.

EDGE: Penn State

When Buffalo has the ball

KEY TO THE GAME

Offensive line vs. Defensive line

For as much as James Franklin talked about Penn State’s defensive line being a strength heading into the season, it looked even stronger than their head coach made them out to be against Idaho. But Buffalo presents a much different challenge up front.

“We’re impressed with their offensive line,” Franklin said. “We love how they play on film. They are tough, physical, and play hard, and I think the tight ends complement them, as well.”

LT Evin Ksiezarczyk is in his third season as a starter, and RT Kayode Awosika is in his second, and both have quick feet and a finisher’s mentality. Senior LG Paul Nosworthy is steady and hard-nosed, and the Bulls rushed for 291 yards behind them last week. They’ll need to dominate for Buffalo to keep it close.

EDGE: Penn State

Quarterbacks/Receivers vs. Secondary

There’s not much to know about Bulls starter Matt Myers, a redshirt freshman who threw 10 passes last week. Two of his five completions went for touchdowns against Robert Morris, but he’ll find the Penn State secondary more challenging. The Bulls will start two juco transfers and a true freshman at wideout against a seasoned Penn State cornerback crew, but PSU’s safeties will have to keep their eye on TE Zac Lefebvre, who caught both of Myers’ TD scores last week.

EDGE: Penn State

Running backs vs. Linebackers

Jaret Patterson is the defending MAC freshman of the year after rushing for 1,013 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, but Buffalo’s bread-and-butter runs right into Penn State’s strength too. Linebackers Micah Parsons and Jan Johnson will have more opportunities to make stops this week than they did a week ago, and Cam Brown’s return to the starting lineup will make this group stronger.

EDGE: Penn State

Special teams

Kicking game

The Nittany Lions got steady and improved performance from the kicking team last week, especially kickers Jordan Stout (13 touchbacks on 13 kickoffs) and Jake Pinegar. But senior Blake Gillikin had a punt blocked. Buffalo is solid here. Punter Evan Finegan’s 41.8-yard average last season was a Bulls record, and first-year starter Alex McNulty hit a 40-yard field goal and all of his extra points in the opener.

EDGE: Penn State

Return game

Penn State needs to be better here, both when it comes to decision-making and catching the ball. They need to get more consistent in using KJ Hamler. Junior Tito Overton nearly broke a return against Robert Morris, so he’s one to watch. The Bulls are inexperienced here, outside of that return by Overton and two others from last season. It will be interesting to see how they handle Penn State’s speed on coverage units.

EDGE: Penn State

Donnie’s Decision

On paper, and for as good as Buffalo was last season, this should be a convincing win for the Nittany Lions. Is there upset potential here? Probably not. But, if Penn State has a lull after a 72-point win over Akron and the 100th all-time meeting with Pittsburgh next week, the Bulls are plenty good enough to provide a scare. That said, the Bulls are too one-dimensional to run with a Nittany Lions team that looks far too fast and talented to struggle much against a team that simply doesn’t have their athleticism.

Penn State 48, Buffalo 9

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